Chapter 26

It’s been a while since the morning brought such a delightful experience.

My Combat skill hit Intermediate Level 3, and Cooking reached Beginner Level 3.

As always, a refreshing glass of water was what woke me up this morning.

One season lasts 56 days—8 weeks—and we’re already into Week 5. Day 35 of Spring.

I’ve been neglecting housework lately, so I decided to do a thorough cleaning as dawn broke.

Washed the beddings, dusted every corner… Not really my type for deriving joy from tidying up, but no one dislikes cleanliness.

By the time the sun peeked in, the housework was done. The small size of the place meant there wasn’t much to fuss over.

Still, it might be time to expand the house. While I don’t have major complaints, having a basement for aging goods and better kitchen facilities would require an extension. Cost is a bit of an issue, but with a large sum coming in two weeks, I’m not too worried.

The rest of the day followed yesterday’s routine.

Planting seeds and stretching my back became the usual morning ritual. Since it was just finishing off leftover seeds from yesterday, lunch came around before I knew it. Three hours may sound short, but for me, this has become second nature.

After preparing lunch, I sat watching a Defense +1 Buff that lasted only an hour and chuckled. It’s too brief to use effectively now, but once my cooking reaches expert level, it could prove quite handy. With that expectation, I enjoy the slow growth of my culinary skills.

Today’s the day I visit the Mage to request something.

That day at the high-end outdoor tent left me half-numb, forcing me to guzzle all the painkillers I had, leaving none. I didn’t want to see blood, but I forced myself into the dungeon because I needed Red Spider venom to make more painkillers. Always good to prepare ahead for unforeseen situations.

Walking slowly through the western forest, the blazing midday heat gets partially blocked by the lush canopy, maintaining a pleasant temperature.

It’s been a while since I last saw the Tower of the Mage. Its appearance never ceases to amaze me—those bizarrely cluttered mechanical attachments growing thicker toward the top. Pushing aside thoughts about its peculiar design, I knock on the door after standing at the entrance.

“Long time no see. Come in.”

That voice, impossible to gauge distance. His ever-elusive tone gives no hint of age as I step inside. Entering the study, where the air feels oddly distorted, the familiar scent of paper greets me warmly.

“Hello.”

I carried a fruit basket as a gift. Why not bring something when visiting and asking for favors?

“What’s that?”

“It’s fruit grown at home. Sweet and delicious.”

“Oh? Is this for me?”

“Yes.”

“Much appreciated. Sugar is always a key nutrient that opens up great ideas. I just ran out of chocolate, so this couldn’t have come at a better time. Must be magic guiding us again.”

Gilbert stands up suddenly and approaches me. He pauses briefly before sniffing the air, making me take a cautious step back. While eccentric behavior from mages isn’t rare, it’s awkward when directed at me.

“I sense traces of magic here… What is this? Did you study magic somewhere?”

“No, not that I know of… Ah, but I did meet a Fairy.”

“A Fairy? You witnessed their magic? Hmm. Surviving hostile fairy magic isn’t easy, yet you made it back alive.”

“Eh, it wasn’t hostile magic. Just some bright lights in the sky, trembling ground, and a sweet aroma.”

“Hmm? Fairies using such magic? Do you have any ancestors with fairy blood?”

“Nope, just got friendly with them somehow. They seem to like fruit.”

“Ah. So these are fruits blessed by fairies. That’s quite a generous gift indeed.”

With that, Gilbert snatched the basket without hesitation. Curiosity must have piqued his interest.

“Melons and strawberries, huh? The sweet fragrance is delightful. Since I dislike sourness, let me numb my senses for a moment.”

Gilbert then retrieves a reagent from somewhere, dropping a single drop onto his tongue. After tapping it with his fingers, he nods approvingly and pops a melon into his mouth.

He truly is strange. Is this what becoming a mage does to people?

“Oh, this is delicious. Better than Cantaloupe or Earth Melon. Your talent for farming is undeniable.”

“Thank you.”

“Indeed. Stick to farming. Keep bringing gifts like this occasionally. The strawberries are nice too, though they’re just slightly above average. But the melon—excellent! Consider specializing in melons if profit is your goal.”

His explanation felt overly elaborate but remained helpful. Was he always this talkative, or did the sugar perk him up?

“Oh, and if it’s not too much trouble, could you make more painkillers?”

“Did you bring spider venom?”

“Yes, I did.”

“In that case, no problem. Feel free to visit anytime. This is nothing difficult.”

“Thank you.”

“On the contrary, I’m grateful. Reawakening my dulled senses with various stimuli is essential. In that regard, the new experience you’ve given me deserves heartfelt thanks.”

‘Time doesn’t kill everything; memories alone aren’t enough.’

With those muttered words, Gilbert disappeared somewhere within the study. Normally inaudible, his voice carried clearly due to my enhanced hearing. Perhaps decades of living grant such insight. The worn wrinkles, seasoned tone, and quirky demeanor hinted at an age far beyond appearances.

“Here’s your painkiller. And if you ever consider learning magic, come to me. I’ll teach you whenever I have time.”

“Huh?”

“Yes? Didn’t you get exposed to fairy magic? Don’t you wonder why they went through so much trouble to show it to you? Even someone without magical talent can benefit from even a glimpse of magic. As a fellow practitioner, I can’t ignore their efforts. Let me help carry their legacy forward.”

Surprised by this revelation, my mouth gapes open.

Wait… The fairies’ actions had hidden meaning? I had no idea. Had I known, I’d have showered them with gratitude, giving away every last fruit.

Their innocent charm lingers vividly in my mind now. When our paths cross again, I’ll repay this kindness for sure.

“So, interested?”

“Yes! Of course!”

“Good. Visit regularly. Teaching beginners hasn’t happened in ages, so I need to brush up. Meeting students at their level is always challenging. We’ll start later when I contact you. Until then, let’s focus on preparation.”

“Thank you.”

“Your thanks should go to the fairies. I’m merely carrying forward their intentions.”

With a wave of his hand, Gilbert signaled dismissal.

Bowing respectfully, I walked briskly toward the door. What started as a simple errand for painkillers turned into an unexpected addition to my schedule. Though I must wait, anticipation fills my chest.

Magic!

Actual magic!

Casting flames, summoning lightning, conjuring water and ice…

Could I really learn such things?

In games, I mastered necromancy, using skeletons as labor for large-scale farming, but that was just virtual. Could I actually achieve this in reality?

Even if possible, practicing dark arts like necromancy or black magic here seems unwise. Imagine visitors reacting upon seeing skeletons tilling fields with shovels. Already, Abel occasionally questions how I grow crops without trading for seeds. No need to fuel suspicions further.

Abel’s curiosity was easily quelled by attributing it to the inheritance left by Grandpa. Though Abel casually asked out of mere interest, it still caught me off guard.

Unusual behavior in this village won’t end well, especially considering this could become my long-term home. Best to maintain harmony wherever possible—it suits me anyway.

“Magic…”

I ought to visit the Fairy Farm soon, bringing items they love as thanks for sparking this excitement.

Joy radiates through my steps, leaving clear footprints across the forest floor.

Though tempted to rush back to the fairies immediately, tasks pile up endlessly.

A deal with Jack Coleman, owner of Reyvik City.

Leveling up intermediate skills to advanced.

Learning magic.

Saving money to unlock features.

Crafting better equipment.

Exploring mines and dungeons deeper.

Fishing.

Farming.

Expanding the house.

Tending to the garden, yard, and fields.

Counting them on my fingers quickly surpasses ten. Visiting the fairies will have to wait until I catch up, especially since the journey takes about a week.

“Wait… Jack Coleman? Evangelin’s brother’s name was also Jack, right? Probably just a coincidence.”

Despite pondering, no resemblance exists between Evangelin and Jack Coleman. Even if related, why live in such a remote village? Dismissing it as mere imagination, I shook off the thought.

“How about saving more money to unlock a Warp Device?”

The hefty cost of 20,000 gold looms large, but receiving a lump sum payment in two weeks nets me at least 150,000 gold. Following the logic that installing warp points at visited locations makes travel effortless, I could visit the fairies tomorrow if funds allow. The realization electrifies me.

Right.

To freely give and indulge requires capital first. Only when I’m financially secure can I comfortably support others. Time to earn some serious cash.

Back home, vibrant crops and seeds greet me.

Gathering ripe produce and blooming flowers one by one, daily planting ensures almost daily harvests. Unlike gaming, where I often procrastinated and crammed work into single sessions, real life demands consistency. Smiling, I reflect on how dedicated I’ve become compared to my gaming habits.

How many seeds will it take to fill this field?

Regrettably, lacking proper measurement tools makes estimating difficult. All I know is that it’s vast. The inheritance from an unseen grandfather proves surprisingly substantial. Living here unaware of its significance, connections to this land inevitably tie back to Grandpa. Naturally respected in town as a prominent landowner, everyone remains friendly toward me.

A partially ruined greenhouse sits tucked away in a corner.

An abandoned warehouse lies buried under rocks and overgrowth.

Someday, restoring these structures will add to my workload. Tasks seem endless, but perhaps that’s normal.

Today, I declare it Fishing Day.

Initially planning to mine Mithril and gather materials for crafting, those aren’t urgent priorities. More pressing is uncovering the conditions required for Advanced Fishing. Observing trends suggests reaching higher levels involves specific requirements. Identifying and planning accordingly seems most efficient.

Eventually, Mining and Combat will follow suit, but Fishing currently holds the best potential. At Intermediate Level 8, only two more upgrades remain—about a week’s worth of effort if consistent.

Sitting idly, I reel in fish after fish. Watching freshly caught ones wriggle inspires cravings for sushi. Will improved cooking elevate fish flavors? Can raw preparations enhance taste? Such idle musings accompany my fishing endeavors.

Night fell before I realized it.

Returning home past midnight, I washed up and drifted off to sleep. Clean clothes dried on the rack, imbued with sunlight’s comforting aroma, wrapped me in warmth. Soft, freshly laundered bedding added to the blissful sensation. Whatever the task, completion brings satisfaction.

Another pleasant day comes to a close. Fueled by the prospect of learning magic, this day passed filled with hopeful anticipation.